Debate continues over proposed Portage County data center: What does 'light' industrial zoning truly mean?
Shalersville Township officials and Portage County planners are considering new definitions and regulations for "light industrial" zoning that could affect Bitdeer's proposed 257-acre data center development. The project has drawn opposition over its expected power consumption, noise, dust and cooling systems, while a township moratorium on data centers remains in place until early November.
Bitdeer is proposing a 15-building computing hub on 257 acres near the Ohio Turnpike in Shalersville Township, with Geis Development as its local partner. The project’s planned capacity could reach 750 megawatts across two phases, making it the company’s largest U.S. facility and supporting cryptocurrency mining and artificial-intelligence computing operations.
Township officials are weighing a definition of “light industrial” that would limit projects to less than 25 megawatts, while residents and project attorneys have submitted competing proposals addressing energy use, noise and other impacts. Opponents cite concerns about power demand, noise, dust, debris and cooling systems, while Geis’ attorneys argue the township’s proposal could violate property rights and expose the township to litigation. Public hearings and planning commission meetings are scheduled, and a data center moratorium remains in effect through early November.